Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BOATMEN, by THEOPHILE DE VIAU



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BOATMEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Darling little winged boys are clinging to our skulls
Last Line: Above a ship with such a prize betwixt her stern and bow.
Alternate Author Name(s): De Viau, Theophile
Subject(s): Boats; Sailing & Sailors


DARLING little wingéd boys are clinging to our skulls,
Tritons in their envy full of fondness swarming near;
Now the wind grows gentle and the surging billow lulls,
Lapsing on a stilly tide wherever we may steer.

The wheeling stars smile down from heaven to help us as we go,
No storm can daunt our sailor-lads, nor make their cheeks turn pale,
And never doth the bird of calm nest smooth amid the flow
Without a glance as he goes by to bless the flapping sail.

Our Ocean is as gentle as the flood Euphrates bears;
Not Pactolus nor Tagus with so rich a wave can bless;
Here never pilot dreads to meet with crafty buccaneers,
Nor knows such long unbroken calm as leads to weariness.

Here underneath a gentle sky, and far from thunder's roar,
The leisurely slow watches bring us nought but smoothest ease,
And here our eyes no yearning know to greet again the shore,
But pity the poor angel throng that sail not on such seas.

O you for whom love sighs and sighs, dear beauties still unwed,
Come share with us the happiness that rides where'er we go;
And we will swear to all the world that never sails were spread
Above a ship with such a prize betwixt her stern and bow.





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